Soldier killed in Afghanistan blast

A British soldier has been killed by an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.

The serviceman, from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, attached to the Light Dragoons, died while on a vehicle patrol in Babaji in Helmand Province on Tuesday morning.

The news came after the MoD insisted that additional helicopters being deployed to Afghanistan will be able to fly the full range of combat missions.

The MoD said it was spending £45 million upgrading the protection on the six Merlin helicopters to prepare them for operations with the British force fighting the Taliban in Helmand provide.

It was responding to reports that pilots had complained about the safety of the aircraft - which were previously deployed in Iraq - because they had not been fitted with Kevlar armour to protect them from ground attack.

In a statement, the MoD said: "The Merlin is one of our best protected helicopters and we are absolutely satisfied that it will be well protected against threats in Afghanistan.

"The fleet has already successfully flown thousands of missions over Iraq, often in the face of significant danger.

"Notwithstanding Merlin's success in Iraq, we are now spending an additional £45 million improving its protection.

"When deployed to Afghanistan the Merlins will be ready to perform the full range of military tasks required, including combat missions and ferrying troops into battle."